The Middle East is an attractive and somewhat complex region filled with opportunities for business expansion. Like every other business market, the Middle East has a different socio-cultural spectrum and different business dynamics. People want to expand to and from these countries and tap into lucrative business opportunities.
Since Dubai has become the international business hub, business with Gulf countries became easy. The Middle Eastern countries include the Persian and Arab Gulf states of UAE, KSE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. These states represent the political and business front of the region in the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC. Let’s explore how you can start and run your business in this region effectively.
Choose A Local Business Partner
After entering into a foreign business venture, the first challenge is to go head-to-head with local businesses. Therefore, you should find and side with a local business partner. Your motive should be to sign a memorandum of understanding MoU with a trusted industry-leading local business partner.
Furthermore, it is not easy to find a local partner in Middle Eastern countries. Be mindful of the roadmap, professional ethics, and business priorities of your local business partner.
Carefully Consider the Cultural Diversity
Don’t we all agree that middle eastern countries give the vibes of oil, sand, and regulations? This is somehow a peculiar aspect of the rich culture of Middle Eastern countries. There are more than 21 middle eastern countries with distinctive flavors of cultures around the world. Moreover, these countries accumulate to approximately 6.3% of the global population. The population of MENA countries is approximately 445 million. A big market! Right?
Middle Eastern countries have the biggest reserves of natural oil and gas. There are also some struggling countries like Yemen and Egypt. There are different dialects of the Arabic language. Persian is also the national language of 86.8 million people in Iran. If your targeted region is Iran or you are dealing with Iranian business or cooperation, it is highly recommended to hire professional Farsi translation services. The study of distinctive cultural similarities and differences is very crucial for setting efficient cross-border business strategies. It is also a prerequisite for the understanding of market preferences.
Consider Religious Holidays
If you are aiming to do business with Middle Eastern countries, the key thing should be aware of the changes in the weekday routine. In the majority of Arab countries, Sunday is a working day and there is a holiday on Friday because of congregational prayer. All the business dealings and meetings are put on pause. So, the weekend is held on Friday and Saturday. Be ready to kick off your new week starting with Sundays.
There are always exceptions! Most of the Middle Eastern countries like Dubai and Saudi Arabia, are increasingly becoming multicultural communities. That is why they tend to include and facilitate all the other communities and faiths. That is why the Christian communities still spend their weekends on Saturdays and Sundays.
Religion and Business Dealings in the Middle East
Unlike Western cultures, Arabs choose to carry religion in their personal and professional life. Religion guides their decisions and dealings. Furthermore, Islam is the second-largest religion in the world. Another important factor of Middle Eastern business is the prerequisite factor of patience. You should build this muscle.
They like to take their time. So, flexibility is the key. If by any means, you don’t show impatience, you could not only agitate the partner but also the chances of risking the deal are high. In short, whether it is professional or personal dealing, you have to portray a deep facade of patience.
Be Respectful of Muslim Prayer Time
Prayer time is the most important time even for the highly revered Arab businessmen. No matter how important the meeting or the deal is, they tend to take time five times a day for the congregation of Muslim prayer. So, before arranging meetings or getting into the business with Arabs, learn about the Muslim prayer time so that it won’t conflict with your scheduled meetings.
Business Dealings Across Gender
Middle Eastern countries in general tend to define the role of gender a bit extensively. Apart from the areas of UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), cross-gender interaction is limited. But things are changing and nowadays females have more chances and opportunities than before.
Although it is not rare to find women in business dealings with Arabs. Whenever you come across a woman, try to refrain from initiating the handshake until the hand is extended. Do not stare at the long black traditional attire of the women. The more you are at ease with the religious festivities and traditional attire of the MENA countries, the better it is for the success of your professional agenda.
Learning the Basics of Arabic and Greetings
While a casual ‘hello’ works as a greeting in the UK, things are little changed in middle eastern countries. While meeting with male counterparts, it is advisable to wait for them to extend their hands. On the other hand, women usually don’t do handshakes.
Furthermore, Arabs are not only proud of their distinctive and polite greetings but would also admire your effort to greet them in Arabic. A pro tip for effective bilateral dealings and communication with Middle Eastern countries is to engage with competent Arabic translation services. Learning the common Arabic greetings is highly recommended and can give you a good first impression.
The Importance of Face-to-Face Communication
Arabs are well known for their communication and negotiation skills. You should mentally prepare for a long bilateral tussle of arguments. Patience and logical negotiation skills are your best options. If you stay put with your point and keep your head calm, it is more likely that you can come to an agreement.
Follow the Dress Code of the Occasion
There are different ways to approach a professional meeting in terms of what to wear. Some cultures are prone to follow a more traditional approach while others allow a formal dress code. It is better for men to follow smart-casual office attire while women should cover their whole bodies.
Last Words
Respect, acceptance, and adaptation skills are key essentials for starting a business with partners in a new country, especially in middle eastern countries. Be mindful of religious rituals and cultural differences while trying to blend in. Keeping up with the local attire, greetings, and vacations are essential.
